Exploring St. George's Caye: Travel Tips For Belize

St. George's Caye is a small island in the Caribbean Sea, eight miles east of Belize City. It is accessible only by boat and has a permanent population of about 20 people. The island is home to a resort, which offers activities such as diving, sailing, and snorkelling. The resort provides free airport shuttle services and guests can choose from a variety of accommodation options, including bungalows with sea views and tropical garden cabanas.

Getting to St George's Caye Resort by plane and boat

St. George's Caye Resort is located in Belize, Central America, in the Caribbean Sea. It is about seven to eight miles from Belize City, which is home to the nearest airport, Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport. The resort is accessible only by boat, and the journey from Belize City takes about 20 minutes.

The resort offers free airport transportation and will greet you at the airport and escort you to the island in their private van and boat.

The history of St George's Caye

St. George's Caye, previously known as Cayo Cocina ("Kitchen Cay") by the Spanish, is an island in the Caribbean Sea, eight miles east of Belize City. It is part of the Belize District of Belize, Central America. The village on the island is also known as St. George's Caye.

St. George's Caye was settled as a town in 1650 and was the largest settlement in what was then British Honduras in the 17th and 18th centuries. It was Belize's first capital in the 1700s. However, its importance was eventually eclipsed by the growth of Belize City.

The origin of the name St. George's Caye is uncertain. Historians have found various names for the island on early maps, including Key Cofina & St George's Island, Cayo Casina & St George's Key, and Key Casina & de St George. The name "Casina" or "Cosina" may be derived from the Catalan word for "premium", the Italian word for "cottage", or the Spanish word for "kitchen".

On September 10, 1798, British settlers fought and defeated a small Spanish fleet sent to drive them from the area. This battle, known as the Battle of St. George's Caye, is marked as a national holiday in Belize each year on September 10.

In the late 20th century, the British Army had an adventure training establishment on the island, which allowed members of the British Forces and their families to participate in activities such as diving and sailing. Today, St. George's Caye is home to a secluded private island resort, offering activities such as diving, sailing, and snorkelling.

The activities on offer at the resort

St. George's Caye Resort offers a wide range of activities for guests to enjoy. The resort is located on a private island, just seven miles from Belize City, providing easy access to a variety of land and sea activities.

For those seeking a relaxing vacation, the resort offers a private beach, an outdoor pool, and a spa. Guests can also enjoy water sports facilities, including windsurfing, diving, and snorkelling. The resort is also one of Belize's original diving lodges, with knowledgeable on-site dive staff who can help design dive itineraries and arrange certification courses.

For guests looking for adventure, the resort's central location provides easy access to excursions on the mainland. These include exploring Mayan ruins, visiting museums in Belize City, and enjoying activities such as cave tubing and zip-lining in the jungle.

The resort also offers a unique dining experience with "farm-to-table" meals. Most of the produce and meats served are grown in the chef's village on the mainland. Guests can enjoy family-style dining, sharing meals and stories on the covered outdoor dining porch overlooking the ocean. On Saturday evenings, the resort often hosts a BBQ and bonfire on the beach, in true Belizean style.

Additionally, the resort provides special diet menus upon request and offers free airport shuttle services.

The accommodation options at the resort

St. George's Caye Resort is an adults-only beachfront resort, located on a private island 7.5 miles off the coast of Belize City. It is the only business on the island and offers a range of accommodation options for guests.

The resort features 12 thatched wooden cabanas, three private suites in an oceanfront villa, and two rooms in the owner's villa. The cabanas are either over-the-water, oceanfront, or nestled in the gardens, offering guests the choice of their preferred location. Each room is equipped with a comfortable King-size bed, Belizean hardwood furnishings, air conditioning, an en-suite bathroom, and a covered porch with a hammock. The rooms also include a refrigerator, free toiletries, and a fan, while Wi-Fi is available in public areas.

The oceanfront and garden cabanas provide cosy interiors with varnished woods, mosquito screens, and glass louvre windows. The over-water cabanas are arranged in a tight half-circle and offer sunset views. The private suites in the oceanfront villa feature amazing ocean views from the veranda and living room.

The resort also offers a unique opportunity to design your own paradise by selecting your preferred room, meals, transfers, and activities. This allows guests to customise their stay according to their preferences and create a personalised vacation experience.

The dining experience at the resort

The dining experience at St. George's Caye Resort is one of the highlights of the guest experience. The resort offers a "farm-to-table" dining experience, with most of the produce and meats served grown in the chef's village on the mainland. The meal plan includes a made-to-order breakfast each morning, with traditional Belizean, Caribbean, and Latin cuisine options, as well as European and American favourites. Lunch and dinner are set menus, expertly selected by the chef, with no options (except for dietary restrictions). The food is described as "incredible", "plentiful", and innovative, with plenty of options for those with dietary restrictions.

Guests dine together "family-style" on a covered outdoor dining porch overlooking the ocean, getting to know each other while sharing meals and stories. On most Saturday evenings, the resort hosts a BBQ and bonfire on the beach, in true Belizean style.

In addition to the meals included in the meal plan, guests also receive a complimentary rum punch each day, as well as a morning beverage delivered to their cabana. The resort also has a full bar, where guests can purchase additional drinks.

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